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In a stunning development in the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, a Titusville student who died aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship last week, a family member has publicly claimed that Anna was murdered. This is the first time anyone close to the case has made such an allegation, and it comes as the FBI continues its investigation with no official cause of death released.
The claim was made by Anna’s grandmother, Barbara Collins Kepner, in a public Facebook comment responding to online speculation. Her statement reads:
“OK, this is straight up lie. My granddaughter was 18 years old no drugs or alcohol involved. She was murdered. Yes she was murdered. That is why the FBI was there. I hope none of you have to go through what her father and mother have gone through this weekend.”
The FBI boarded the ship immediately upon its return to Miami on Saturday, and the agency has maintained control of the investigation since. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed that Anna died at 11:17 a.m. on Friday, November 7, but the preliminary report listed no cause of death.
Anna, a straight A student preparing to graduate from Temple Christian School, was described by loved ones as a joyful, kind, and “bubbly” young woman who dreamed of joining the military. She was traveling with her father, stepmother, younger siblings, and stepsiblings on a six day Caribbean cruise.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, opened up for the first time about the family’s devastation and the intense scrutiny they faced from investigators.
He confirmed that federal agents questioned every member of the family as part of the investigation.
According to the father, “Everyone was questioned,” including the children and other relatives onboard.
He described how the sudden loss of his daughter has broken the family’s daily routines and ability to function.
“I have had to shut the world out. I do not watch the TV anymore. We have literally had to stop doing anything to do with the internet,” he said.
“We are very private people. Our lives have been turned upside down.”
Christopher said he has been given no information from investigators and is entirely in the dark about what happened to his daughter or who, if anyone, is being considered a suspect.
“The FBI has not shared anything with me yet. I would imagine they are going to be in contact with me about it, but I know as little as everybody else,” he told the outlet.
“I do not know who they are looking at or what their investigation is. I have no idea what is going on right now. We are just trying to sit still and wait for answers.”
FBI Special Agent Willie Creech confirmed that agents responded to the ship but declined to release any details, stating only that it is an “ongoing matter.” The agency has not commented on the grandmother’s statement or whether foul play is suspected.
Former FBI Special Agent Nicole Parker explained that the bureau has jurisdiction over potential crimes in international waters. She noted that cruise lines are required to report suspicious deaths to federal authorities, which often results in onboard investigations.
The grandmother’s public statement claiming Anna was murdered has intensified pressure on investigators and raised new questions about what happened in the hours leading up to her death.
No law enforcement agency has confirmed foul play. The family says they have not been told a cause of death or received any explanation from federal agents.
Anna’s death has shaken the Titusville community, where she was known as a hardworking student with a bright future and strong faith. Friends and classmates have posted tributes across social media, calling her a “light,” “a leader,” and “the kind of person you couldn’t help but love.”
